Metal girder-like structure



v R. 1. KING.

METAL GIRDER LIKE STRUCTURE.

APPLICATIONFILED MAR. 16. I920. I I

Patented Dec. 21, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l- R. J. KING.

METAL GIRDER LIKE STRUCTURE.

APPLICATION FILED MAIL 16. 1920.

2 SHEETS-S H-EET 2 Patented Dec. 21, 1920.

ol/o

UNITED. STATES PATENT. OFFICE.

RICHARD JOHN KING, .OF VfALTlI-IAMSTOW, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO ARTHUR HOWARTH, OF FINCHLEY, ENGLAND.

METAL ,GIBDER-LIKE STRUCTURE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Dec. 21, 1920.

Application filed March 16, 1920. Serial No. 366,403.

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, RICHARD JOHN KING,

a subject of the King of Great Britain, re-

siding at 6 Coppermill Lane, VValthamstow, Essex, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Metal Girder- Like Structures, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to construct metal girder-like structures such as ribs, spars, girders and the like for use in the construction of aeronautical machines, light bridges and other structures, in a simple manner. of great strength, and light ness, the parts being easily assembled and connected.

For the purpose of the invention I coir struct the framework of the rib, spar or girder or the body parts in connection with the whole machine or structure in the following manner I form the framework portion of the structure of metal of T section, and from the middle or vertical member or web of the T I arrange a cross lacing of steel wire webbing extending from one edge or portion of the spar or like framework to another edge, in different sections. so as to con stitute a laced framework. The T flange is preferably made by bending up a flat strip of lightweight metal, into a T-fOl'll'l in such way as to bring the two edge portions together in the middle to form the web to receive between them the wire webbing. the wire being laced 1n V formations, and the bends of the wire being formed over pins or rivets passing through the web or middle member of the T. The wire webbing of a spar up to the edge of the T flange may be wholly or partly covered by suitable timber from edge to edge of the framework, thereby giving-great strength and elasticity, at the same time showing part of the T flange on the. outer parts of the spar or framework. In some structures such as the nacelle and body parts of an aeroplane widths of light timber may be fastened underneath on both sides of the T running horizontally on all shaped parts for the purpose of receiving and securing all outside coverings.

The inside wood sheathing will receive all the inside fittings, and will also help to impart great strength to the whole of the structure. i

In the abutting ends of the bent portions of the framework may be inserted a solid T piece of light metal to form a perfect fit and strong joint, rivets being passed through the ends and the insertion to connectrthe ends together in place.

The invention will now be described in detailwith reference to the annexed drawings which show the invention as applied to the manufacture of an aeroplane rib.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a rib showing the two struts in cross section.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a portion of a spar the rib framing being shown in section.

Fig. 3 being a cross section on the line Z-Z of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4; is a longitudinal section on the line Y--Y of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a section of the framing while Fig. 6 shows the two abutting ends of the framework secured together. and

Fig. 7 a cross section on the line 7-7 of Fig.6. q

The outer framework A, which may be called the flange, is formed of rolled ribbing metal or light weight steel milled or molded into T shape. the vertical or central member or web I) of the T, being directed toward the interior of the rib or structure. The flange is in two'or more lengths, suitably jointed together by plates, brackets or otherwise. v I

At suitable intervals along the web of the flange and near the top thereof I punch holes a. to receive rivets about which the steel wire webbing 0 is bent. After the wire has been properly strained over a rivet o;- rivets the latter are riveted over to secure the wire against subsequent displacement. The spars a? are built up on a similar manner from metal of T cross-section, the parts of the framework being laced together'by means of steel wire 0 (Figs. 2 and 3).

When the metal framework or reinforce ment of the spar has been completed it is inclosed between two wooden strips d suitably grooved or shaped to fit snugly against the framework, and the whole may be secured together by bolts 6, or the strips may be glued together under cured in place by means of screws passing through holes in the brackets f into the wooden coverings d of the spars. Other holes in the L brackets receive straining wires g, which are useful for drawing a rib into correct shape after. it has been assembled, should it be slightly warped or out of line, and for maintaining it in such shape. These straining wires are provided with the usual wire strainers g, f

In order to lighten the rib as much as possible I may cut away the web portion of the T between adjacent rivet holes, as indicated in Fig. 5. ,1

While I have only shown'a wooden lining or covering on the spar member it is to be understood that I may also arrange wood strips, boards or blocks in the rib framing, either for strengthening purposes or to receive the securing nails, bolts or screws for the material or parts to be secured to or supported bysaid framework. 7

When two pieces or ends of the metal framing have to be joined together, plates may be arranged on either side of the web of the T member. andthe whole secured together by rivets, or, as shown in Figs. ,6 and 7, they may be connected. by means of a short length of T section; metal h fitted into the abutting ends of the; hollow T framework, and then riveted by rivets it.

.While I have described my. invention as applied to the construction of an aeroplane wing it is to be understood that it. is .applicable to many other uses where'a l ght strong structure is required, as is the case in building constructions of many kinds.

What I claimfand desire to protect by Letters Patent is 1. Anaeroplane framestructure comprisframework, .of T cross section made from a metal strip bent to a T section with the edge portions of the strip forming a double walled webo'f the T, rive ts through the web and cross wires stretched between opposed portions of the framework and around'the rivets.

2. An aeroplane frame structure comprising a metal framework of T cross section made from ametal strip bent to a T section with the edge portions of the strip forming a double walled web of the T, rivets through theweb and cross Wires stretched between opposed portions of the framework and around the rivets and wooden coverings on both sides of. the metal framework to inclose and. fit around the same, substantially as set forth.

3. An aeroplane rib structurecomprising a metal framework in the shape of a rib and formed from a metal strip bent to a T section with the edge portions of the strip forming the web of the T, rivets through theweb and a lacing wire stretched around said rivets and between opposed portions ofthe rib, portions of the web being cut away to form a space for receiving a cross spar, substantially as set forth. I

4. .An aeroplane ribstructure comprising a metal framework in the shape of a rib and formed from a metal strip bent to a T section with the edge portions of the strip forming the web of the T, rivets through the web and a lacing wire stretched around said rivets and between opposed portion of i the rib, portions of the web being cut away to form a space for recelvmg a cross spar and metal cross brackets extend ng across the rib from one cut-away edge to the other, substantially as set forth.

5. An aeroplane rib structure comprising a metal framework in the shape of a rib and formed from a metal strip bent to a T section with the edge portions of the strip forming the web of the T, rivets through the web and a lacing wirestretched around said rivets andbetween opposed portion of the rib, portions. of the web being cut away to form a space for receiving a crossspar and metal'cross brackets extending across therib from one cut-away edge to the other and V. straining nwires extending from one bracket to another or to a part of the framework, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature ,inpresence of two'witnesses. r R1CHARD JOHN KING.

Witnesses: I JAMES CADMAN, LEON 

